The Miami Dolphins earned a hard-fought 23–15 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in one of the most anticipated games of the 2024 NFL season. This matchup wasn’t just about the scoreboard — it was about efficiency, composure, and a few key plays that made all the difference.
In this breakdown, we’ll look at player stats, key performances, and what these numbers say about each team’s direction. Whether you’re an NFL fan, fantasy football player, or just catching up on the action, this recap gives you the insight you need.
Team Performance at a Glance
Miami Dolphins
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Total Yards: 238
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Passing Yards: 207
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Rushing Yards: 67
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Turnovers: 2
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Penalties: 1 for 15 yards
Los Angeles Rams
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Total Yards: 327
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Passing Yards: 293
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Rushing Yards: 70
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Turnovers: 2
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Penalties: 6 for 64 yards
At first glance, it’s surprising that the Rams out-gained the Dolphins by almost 100 yards and still lost. But the Dolphins’ efficiency — especially in the red zone — and the Rams’ costly penalties turned the tide.
Miami Dolphins Player Stats and Highlights
Tua Tagovailoa – Quarterback
Tua completed 20 of 28 passes for 207 yards, adding one touchdown and one interception. His poise under pressure and ability to sustain drives kept Miami in control. While his numbers weren’t explosive, they were efficient — a key factor in the win.
Tyreek Hill – Wide Receiver
Hill continued to be the spark in the Dolphins’ offense, scoring a key touchdown and stretching the field with his speed. Even when the Rams’ secondary doubled him, Hill’s route running and timing created space for teammates.
Raheem Mostert – Running Back
Mostert didn’t have a big day statistically, rushing for under 50 yards, but his short-yardage gains and ability to keep the defense honest helped open up play-action passes.
Jason Sanders – Kicker
Sanders was arguably the unsung hero. He hit multiple field goals — including one from 50 yards — and gave Miami crucial points when drives stalled. In tight games like this, a reliable kicker often makes the difference.
Dolphins Defense
The defense forced two turnovers and sacked Matthew Stafford four times. Their ability to pressure the quarterback without heavy blitzing was impressive. Every time the Rams built momentum, the Dolphins’ defense found a way to slow them down.
Los Angeles Rams Player Stats and Highlights
Matthew Stafford – Quarterback
Stafford threw for 293 yards, completing 32 of 46 passes, but finished without a touchdown and with one interception. His passing volume was high, yet it didn’t translate into points. Too many long drives ended in field goals or turnovers.
Puka Nacua – Wide Receiver
Nacua had another strong outing with nine receptions for 98 yards. His route precision and yards after catch stood out, especially in the second half.
Cooper Kupp – Wide Receiver
Kupp caught seven passes for 80 yards. He remains one of the league’s most reliable targets, but Miami’s secondary limited his big-play potential.
Kyren Williams – Running Back
Williams was largely contained by the Dolphins’ front line, rushing for around 40 yards. Without a strong ground game, the Rams struggled to balance their offense.
Rams Defense
The defensive front kept pressure on Tua for most of the game, but untimely penalties and lack of red-zone stops undermined their efforts.
Game-Changing Moments
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Tyreek Hill’s Touchdown – Hill’s score gave Miami a critical lead in the third quarter. It shifted the momentum and forced the Rams to chase points.
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Sanders’ 50-Yard Field Goal – This long kick extended the Dolphins’ lead late in the game, forcing Los Angeles into more aggressive play-calling.
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Defensive Turnovers – Miami’s forced fumbles and interception killed two promising Rams drives.
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Rams’ Penalties – A few costly penalties on third down stalled drives and negated big gains.
What the Stats Reveal
Efficiency Over Yardage
The Rams won the yardage battle but lost the efficiency contest. Miami converted third downs better and avoided critical mistakes.
Discipline Matters
One penalty versus six may not sound dramatic, but those extra 50 yards hurt. The Dolphins stayed composed, while the Rams’ infractions cost them field position and momentum.
Red-Zone Execution
Miami converted their red-zone chances into touchdowns and field goals. The Rams came away empty-handed too often, a pattern that continues to haunt them this season.
Fantasy Football Implications
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Tua Tagovailoa: Solid floor performance. Efficient, though not flashy — ideal for fantasy managers seeking stability.
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Tyreek Hill: Continues to deliver as a top-tier wide receiver option; his touchdown production keeps him elite.
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Matthew Stafford: Strong yardage totals but no touchdowns — risky fantasy pick unless the Rams fix their red-zone issues.
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Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp: Both saw heavy targets, suggesting dependable PPR value even in losses.
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Dolphins Defense: High-impact unit capable of generating sacks and turnovers — worth keeping on fantasy rosters.
Lessons for Both Teams
For the Dolphins
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Continue leaning on balanced offense and mistake-free football.
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Maintain composure — low penalties win close games.
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Keep leveraging Hill’s speed and play-action setups to stretch defenses.
For the Rams
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Red-zone execution must improve; moving the ball isn’t enough without finishing drives.
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Reduce penalties — discipline issues have cost potential wins.
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Consider diversifying the run game to relieve pressure on Stafford.
Final Stats Summary
| Category | Dolphins | Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 238 | 327 |
| Passing Yards | 207 | 293 |
| Rushing Yards | 67 | 70 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Sacks | 4 | 2 |
| Penalties | 1 for 15 yds | 6 for 64 yds |
| Final Score | 23 | 15 |
Looking Ahead
The Dolphins’ win showed resilience and efficiency, snapping a losing streak and restoring momentum. Meanwhile, the Rams proved they can move the ball but must turn production into points if they want to stay competitive in the NFC.
The next few weeks will reveal whether these teams can build on — or learn from — this matchup. Expect the Dolphins to lean on their formula of discipline and big-play potential, while the Rams focus on red-zone improvement.
Final Thoughts
The Miami Dolphins vs Los Angeles Rams matchup wasn’t a high-scoring shootout, but it was a chess match of discipline, execution, and precision. The Dolphins turned fewer opportunities into more points, and that’s why they left SoFi Stadium with the win.
If you’re tracking NFL player stats, this game is a perfect example of how numbers only tell part of the story — it’s what teams do with those numbers that defines the outcome.

